12 Ways to Increase Your Self Love Today

Self love can easily be defined as a balanced combination of self-belief, self-acceptance, self-respect and self-compassion.

Sounds like a simple equation, Right? In reality to maintain this inner peace and inner knowing is tough knowing that we are also part Ego, made up of fear, self-doubt and lack of worth.

I see Self Love as a feeling. I see it was a special space that exists within each of us. I see it as an energy which needs to be nurtured and purified. To put it simply I see it as the essence of who we are. At the core of our-self, is love.

In order to nurture this space of self-love, we need to know how to maintain our balance at all times and we need to know how to refuel our inner self-love-tank.

So here are 12 ways you can honor yourself today and increase your feelings of self-love:

#1 Do something great for yourself

This involves stopping to put everyone’s needs ahead of your own and asking yourself this simple yet powerful question, “what do I need right now?” Schedule this time into your calendar before you do anything else this week. This also helps keep negative feelings such as resentment at bay.

#2 Do something to de-stress

Some great ideas include being in nature, meditation, walking on the beach or near water, relaxation breathing techniques, sleeping, having a massage or lying in the sun.

#3 De-clutter your home or office space

Keeping a clean, open space clears your energy and helps you think clearly. This also helps eliminate feelings of overwhelm and guilt. When you are organised and there is space around you, you can think more clearly and that clarity of thought in turn increases positive feelings of self.

#4 Have a cleansing day

This includes green juices, eliminating stimulants such as caffeine or sugar and treat your skin as well. This is about purifying your body and clearing out any negative toxins so that you can have full vitality and focus. When the body is polluted with toxins it throws off our balance and effects our mood and mindset.

#5 Express something you have been holding onto

Have an important conversation, let someone know how you feel or clear the air with someone. The nervous system wastes a lot of energy holding onto unexpressed words which in turn weakens your immune system. Speak your truth with confidence and certainty and remember the ability to make yourself vulnerable and open is the utmost expression of authenticity and self love.

#6 Spend time connecting to your soul and listen to what your heart is asking for

We spend too much time in our thoughts analyzing, thinking and searching for logic that we forget to listen to what our soul is asking for. This is simply achieved by asking yourself what will really make you happy and then following through on that. The pathway to your heart is found through tuning into your feelings. Note how you feel around certain people and situations. When you feel drained, that is a sign that energy is not right for you. When you feel joy, bliss and energized you know that is your heart speaking. What is your heart asking for?

#7 Get creative

Whatever your creative outlet is, being able to express and release your creative energy makes you feel energized and empowered, especially when we can switch off our inner critic and connect to the joy of creativity. Roll up your sleeves and get creative in whatever way makes you feel inspired.

#8 Have a play day

Connect with people who make you laugh and those you can get silly with. Do something fun and something that reminds you of the fun you had as a child. When your inner child is happy you are connected to the true essence of your authentic self and can therefore experience pure happiness.

#9 Move your body

Movement is a great way to release any pent up or blocked emotion stored in the body.
Going for a walk or doing a yoga class can instantly get you grounded. And when you are grounded you are reconnected to yourself and your self love.

#10 Listen to music

Music is a powerful way to create a desired emotion as music instantly uplifts your energy and synchronizes with your heart beat. This in turn releases positive ‘feel good hormones’. Whether it is meditative music or dance music, surround yourself with music which speaks to your soul.

#11 Focus on forgiveness

And for the sake of this article I am going to emphasis self forgiveness, so that we can stop beating ourselves up and blaming ourselves for whatever we could of, should of or didn’t do. This cultivates greater acceptance and compassion. And remembering that our definition of Self Love is a balanced combination of self-belief, self-acceptance, self-respect and self-compassion, than forgiveness is the segway to Self Love.

#12 Focus on gratitude and appreciation

This step is my favorite and it is the mindset I return to throughout my day. In every moment, especially with the little things, find what you can be grateful for and what or who you feel most appreciative of. Gratitude has the most amazing power of instantly opening our hearts and reminding us how much we have in our lives right now. It also creates an abundance mindset which reminds you that you are the manifestor of all the magical moments in your life. When your Self Love is activated your manifesting powers are at their highest and you will manifest miracles…macro and micro.

Here is a great Self Love Guided Meditation to help you connect to this beautiful place within even more.

Enjoy and should you have any other ideas on how you build your self love please leave a comment below.

To your truth and freedom with lots of love,